PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sylvain Sauvage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arkadiusz Klepaczka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Arkadiusz Klepaczka has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Sylvain Sauvage's chin.

Sauvage
vs
Klepaczka

177 cm
31
180 lbs
11 - 13 - 0

185 cm
25
183 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Fast

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sylvain Sauvage!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Arkadiusz Klepaczka!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Thiago Cunha and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sauvage takes a jab right on the kisser.
Klepaczka's coach down at Soco na mãe - Stand Up Striking was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Klepaczka's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Klepaczka misses the jab.
Sauvage pushes Klepaczka away with a front kick.
Sauvage moves in looking to clinch but Klepaczka pushes him off.
Klepaczka shoots in looking for a takedown but Sauvage manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Klepaczka's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sauvage just misses with a punch to the body.
Horrible takedown attempt by Klepaczka or perhaps it was just good defense by Sauvage, which made it look bad.
Sauvage takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Sauvage tries to land a front kick but Klepaczka steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Sloppy strikes from Klepaczka. Those never looked like landing.
Sauvage tries to clinch but Klepaczka moves out of range.
Klepaczka throws a series of strikes that have Sauvage backpedaling.
Sauvage throws a half hearted mid kick.
Klepaczka misses with a series of wild punches.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Sauvage tries to clinch up.
Klepaczka dodges the punch combination from Sauvage.
Sauvage tries to close the distance and clinch but Klepaczka swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Klepaczka walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sauvage checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Sloppy strikes from Klepaczka. Those never looked like landing.
Sylvain Sauvage is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Klepaczka misses with a series of wild punches.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Sauvage, right into the meat.
Klepaczka keeps the fight on the outside.
A nice combination there by Klepaczka.
Sauvage tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Klepaczka throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sauvage is looking to clinch.
Arkadiusz Klepaczka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sauvage connects with a body shot that sends Klepaczka's belly button to the back.
Klepaczka is looking to slow Sauvage down with leg kicks.

Sauvage closes the distance and clinches.
Sauvage tries to land a knee to the head but Klepaczka blocks with his arms.
Sauvage has a couple of punches blocked by Klepaczka.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Klepaczka changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sauvage fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sylvain Sauvage has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arkadiusz Klepaczka.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Klepaczka misses with a takedown attempt - Sauvage sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Klepaczka avoids a kick to the body.

Sauvage drives through and clinches with Klepaczka against the cage.
Sauvage prevents a takedown attempt there.
A short right from Sauvage on the inside.
Sauvage tries a knee to the head but Klepaczka blocks it.
Klepaczka on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sauvage throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Klepaczka turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Klepaczka manages to end up in side control.
Sauvage is looking to reverse the position.
Klepaczka wants to stand but Sauvage has his arm trapped.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sauvage struggling a bit here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sauvage tries to improve position but can't.
Klepaczka tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Sauvage can't do much from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Klepaczka tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Klepaczka's corner calls for a 1-2. Klepaczka obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Sauvage takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Sauvage throws a body kick that misses.
Sauvage tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sauvage bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sauvage uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Klepaczka.
Sauvage tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Klepaczka throws a hook but Sauvage avoids it easily.
Klepaczka shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sauvage defends it nicely.
Sauvage tries to clinch but Klepaczka moves out of range.
Sauvage scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

It looks like Arkadiusz Klepaczka has been cut.
Klepaczka waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sauvage.
Sauvage tries to close the distance and clinch but Klepaczka swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sauvage uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Klepaczka.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Arkadiusz Klepaczka will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Arkadiusz Klepaczka's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A bone on bone clash there as Sauvage blocks the leg kick.
Klepaczka avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Klepaczka looks for a takedown but Sauvage sprawls well.
Klepaczka swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sauvage is looking to clinch.

Sauvage pushes Klepaczka up against the cage in a clinch.
Klepaczka is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Sauvage is defending well.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
The referee is keeping an eye on Sauvage - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Klepaczka wants to take the fight to the mat but Sauvage manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Sylvain Sauvage has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arkadiusz Klepaczka.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sauvage gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sauvage taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Sauvage throws an elbow that misses.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Sauvage obliges.
Klepaczka blocks a body shot from Sauvage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Klepaczka tries to score a body lock takedown but Sauvage shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sauvage throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Klepaczkas head.
Klepaczka wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Sauvage stalling the fight.
Klepaczka has Sauvage pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sauvage manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Klepaczka avoids a wild elbow strike from Sauvage.
Sauvage misses with some punches.
Sauvage is pushing Klepaczka up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Klepaczka looking for a takedown.
Sauvage throws an elbow that misses.
Klepaczka takes an elbow to the temple.
Sauvage missing with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sauvage is trying to stall.
Sauvage misses with a hook from the clinch.
Klepaczka avoids a wild elbow strike from Sauvage.
Sauvage lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Klepaczka or not.

Klepaczka is fighting off a takedown attempt but Sauvage is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Klepaczka to the mat. Klepaczka regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Klepaczka utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Klepaczka wants to get back to his feet but Sauvage is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Sauvage tries to free his leg and advance position but Klepaczka is retaining full guard.
Klepaczka is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sauvage is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Klepaczka working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sauvage.
Sauvage throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Klepaczka works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Klepaczka manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Sauvage tries to stall but Klepaczka uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Klepaczka avoids a wild elbow strike from Sauvage.
Sauvage makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That has opened up Arkadiusz Klepaczka's cut even more.
Klepaczka managing to block the knees to the body from Sauvage.
Klepaczka blocks an elbow strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Sauvage just misses with a elbow thrown towards Klepaczka's brow.
Klepaczka changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sauvage fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sauvage tries to close the distance and clinch up but Klepaczka swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sauvage tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Klepaczka manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Klepaczka swats away the attempt to clinch by Sauvage.
Sauvage tries to clinch but Klepaczka is having none of it.
Sauvage lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A punch combination from Klepaczka misses.
Sauvage is looking to clinch.
Klepaczka tries to bum rush Sauvage with a series of wild strikes but Sauvage uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Klepaczka throws a series of punches but Sauvage moves out of range.
A punch combination from Klepaczka misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Sauvage pushes Klepaczka up against the cage in a clinch.
Sauvage tries to land a knee to the head but Klepaczka blocks with his arms.
Sauvage gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Klepaczka letting Sauvage take a breather here.
Sauvage misses with the head strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sylvain Sauvage dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Arkadiusz Klepaczka's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Sauvage lands a nice leg kick that just misses Klepaczka's sensitive parts.
Sauvage lands a head kick. Klepaczka smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Klepaczka misses with a series of wild punches.
Sauvage fails with an attempt to clinch.

Sauvage moves into the clinch successfully.
Klepaczka dodges an elbow strike from Sauvage.
Sauvage lands a nice knee to the body.
Sauvage misses with a hook from the clinch.
Klepaczka is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Sauvage is defending well.
Sauvage gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sauvage tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sauvage tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Sauvage throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Sauvage drops down looking for an ankle pick but Klepaczka pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Klepaczka, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Klepaczka looks to land a left hand but Sauvage moved out of range nicely.
Sauvage tries to clinch but Klepaczka moves out of range.
Sauvage tries to clinch but Klepaczka moves out of range.
A left lands for Klepaczka.
Sauvage scoring well with a low kick there.
Klepaczka throws a series of punches but Sauvage moves out of range.
Klepaczka motions for Sauvage to come forward. Klepaczka throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Arkadiusz Klepaczka is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sauvage displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Klepaczka.
Klepaczka walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Klepaczka cracks Sauvage with a right hand to the side of the head.
Klepaczka swats away the attempt to clinch by Sauvage.
Klepaczka staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Klepaczka throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sauvage goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Good shot there by Sauvage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A right-left combo lands from Klepaczka.
Klepaczka misses with a looping right.
Klepaczka fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sylvain Sauvage has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arkadiusz Klepaczka.
Klepaczka takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sauvage fails in his attempt to clinch.

Sauvage closes the distance and pushes Klepaczka back into the cage.
Nice elbow from Sauvage.

The cut above Arkadiusz Klepaczka's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Sauvage taking a breather.
Sauvage stalling in the clinch.
Sauvage landing knees to the head.
Sauvage has Klepaczka pushed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Klepaczka blocks the elbow strike.
Sauvage unloads a knee to the mid-section.
The referee is keeping an eye on Sauvage - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Klepaczka looking for a takedown.
Klepaczka changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sauvage fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Klepaczka throws a hook to the side of Sauvage's head but Sauvage sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sauvage lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sauvage fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sauvage avoids a punch combination nicely.
Klepaczka misses with a straight left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sauvage wants to clinch.
Klepaczka avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sauvage tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Klepaczka manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Klepaczka misses the jab.

Sauvage has closed the distance and engaged Klepaczka in a clinch.
Sauvage has a couple of punches blocked by Klepaczka.
Sauvage pressing his opponent against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Sauvage just misses with a elbow thrown towards Klepaczka's brow.
Klepaczka is trying to drag Sauvage to the mat but Sauvage just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Sauvage unloads a knee to the mid-section. Klepaczka lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sylvain Sauvage showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sauvage has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sylvain Sauvage!
A relieved looking Sylvain Sauvage thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.